p. 28 | Our Schools by F. GRIGGS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 6, 1908

Our Schools

By F. GRIGGS

Among the Schools

LEAVING Washington on New-year's day, I went directly to our training-school for colored students, at Huntsville, Ala., where I met Elders A. C. Daniells and W. C. White. I was pleased to visit this school again, and to note the changes which have taken place since my last visit nearly a year ago. Perhaps the first feature of improvement to be noticed is in the students themselves. There is a much larger enrolment this year than last. The students are, on an average, older, and consequently they can be more quickly prepared for various lines of work. We were very much pleased with their appearance as they gathered at chapel exercises.

During the year there has been erected at this place a fine study hall. This is built of cement blocks, and is a good piece of architecture. The business office and recitation rooms are on the first floor, and the chapel and principal's office are on the second floor. A young man's dormitory to replace the one destroyed by fire is in process of erection. They have recently been obliged to cease work upon it, for the funds at their disposal for this purpose are exhausted. This new dormitory is commodious and well adapted to its purpose. It is to be hoped that the additional money necessary will soon be at the disposal of the managers of this school for the completion of the building.

During the year, Dr. Lucy Bascom has connected with the faculty. It is intended to establish a sanitarium at this place soon. Dr. Bascom is conducting class work, and giving treatments in improvised quarters. It would appear that this phase of the work can be made very helpful, not only to the school, but to the work as a whole for the colored people of the South. We trust that this sanitarium may be quickly established. Brother C. J. Boyd, who has recently been connected with the school at Alpharetta, Ga., has been associated with the faculty. In addition to teaching, he has charge of the farm. As the plans for the farm work were discussed, it appeared that there is a very bright future before this phase of the school work. There is need, however, of financial help, to place this school on vantage-ground. The school presented a memorial to the Southern Union Conference, emphasizing its needs and petitioning for help. We hope that it will not be long in coming.

From Huntsville we went to the Southern Training-school located at Graysville, Tenn. Marked improvements have been made in this school during the past year. A large addition has been erected to the main school building. This was very much needed. The chapel has been nearly doubled in size by this addition. Library, music, chemical, and recitation rooms have been added. There has also been a heating plant installed. The boilers are in a new building situated between the dormitories and the school building. This building also serves for a laundry and for a printing office. Here, as at Huntsville, there has been an increase in the attendance. There seems to be a very earnest spirit on the part of the students. As they

listened to the talks by Brother Daniells on the mission fields, their interest in the work in these far-off lands seemed to be much increased. The week of prayer was very helpful to this school.

We next visited the Nashville Agricultural and Normal School, located at Madison, Tenn. Brethren Sutherland and Magan and their fellow workers seem to be of excellent courage in their work. They can see in many ways the leading of the Lord, and his prospering care. We found here a company of very earnest, devoted young men and women.

A sanitarium building is in process of construction. It will be well adapted to medical work and to the comforts of the patients. Dr. Lillian Eshelman Magan is in charge of the medical work of the school and sanitarium. Already there is an interest in the vicinity in our health principles.

Professors Sutherland and Magan and Sisters De Graw and Druillard gave a very interesting detailed report of their work at the Southern Union Conference, and expressed themselves as being of good courage.

The Southern Union Conference devoted much time to the educational work. We are glad that all phases of the school work in this union are prospering.

In the next Educational number of the REVIEW, I shall speak of other schools, which we are to visit. F. GRIGGS.